Quick one, pull ups... we all love them im sure. But I was wondering what the general consensus is. Is it better (make you stronger) to do 12 with no assistance, up to the bar and down controlled. Or to do nearly x2 that using the machines which give a counter weight,enabling you to do more? The desired effect here is stronger,bigger arms. Raz
no assiatance is always better If your 1 set max is twelve then do them in a pyramid of 1 -2 -3 -4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11 (or you can reverse that order). Leave around 30 seconds between each and you wil have cranked out 65 before you know it
Curls (I kid, I kid. I know what you mean. If you can do 12 pull-ups start strapping some light weight to yourself or hold a plate/dumbell between your thighs)
Pullups - Hands pronated (Palms facing away), works teres major/minor much more heavily than latismus dorsi, some biceps and anterior deltoid (and forearms, obviously). Harder to do because muscle group compose of smaller back muscles. Chinups - Hands supinated (palmist facing towards you), works latismus dorsi, teres major/minor, biceps and forearms. Easier to do because of the added involvement and focus in the the biceps and latismus dorsi as the prime movers. Pullups for "wings", chinups for back/arm development, and wings.
I just have a mental picture of you walking around in a giant barrel thing of grapes with a giant tv set strapped to your back for training. You know, since you live in southern Italy and they make wine there and people used to walk . . . . I'm sure you get what I'm saying.
In September when we harvest the grapes you can find me walking around in the fields of grapes carrying giant baskets of grapes... Now I only need a tv-shaped basket.
